REVIEW // Disney's Descendants.

I am a sucker for Disney, I have a Mickey and Minnie tattoo on my back and I have no shame sitting at home spending the afternoon watching Disney Channel. However, even I have to admit recently, the standards that were set growing up has not been entirely matched, (A Dog With A Blog anyone?!)

However, when I saw Descendants advertised I thought the concept was genius. As a new generation is being introduced to Disney, I think collaborating old favourites and creating children of the characters to reinvent the fairytales is such a good idea, although, the realisation that our favourite stories and characters are aging with us is very unnerving.

Directed by Kenny Ortega; the mastermind behind the phenomenon and complete guilty pleasure that is High School Musical, this in itself gives high hopes for the film. Cheesy pop numbers, cheorography, "forbidden love" what more could you want from a tween movie?!

Here is a bit of a back story to help you understand and bring you up to date;

20 years ago, the notorious Fairytale Villains were banished to live on The Island of The Lost, a prison like island. with no use of their powers and a barrier which prevented their escape. This meant the Princes and Princesses could finally live 'Happily Ever After' in The United States Of Auradon where Belle and The Beast rule the kingdom.

Villains of The Island Of The Lost

Now, the story begins 20 years on, where Ben, the son of King and Queen Belle and The Beast, grants that 4 of the villains offspring should be given a chance to experience life in Auradon and attend Auradon Prep where The Fairy Godmother is headmistress. (genius right??) Of course, the villains; Malificent, Snow Queen, Jafar and Cruella De Vil see this as their perfect opportunity to seek revenge and regain their evil status, but they can only do that with the power of The Fairy Godmother's wand.

We follow princess of evil Mal, prince-hungry Evie, resident thief Jay and dog-hating Carlos (use your shameless Disney knowledge to work out which child belongs to who) on their mission to retrieve the wand and free their parents from the Lost Island for good. But are they really bad or were they just born into it? You're gonna have to watch to find out!

The constant character references and inside jokes regarding the original stories makes my inner child squeal meaning that although this musical movie is designed for tweens and children, Adults and parents will enjoy it just as much for that reason alone.

Of course, you can't expect it to be completely mind-blowingly awesome, sometimes the acting and the jokes are a bit questionable but take it with a pinch of a salt, after all it's a children's fantasy played by teenagers who probably aren't even old enough to remember these classic fairytales!

Overall, the catchy songs (I've had 'Rotten To The Core' in my head for days!) and the credible, classic to modern storyline makes Descendants an easy watch for all ages, with all the traditional traits you'd expect from your typical Disney movie. For what it is, and for who the primary target audience is, I can't really fault it.

Although, I do have mixed feelings about the hip-hop esque version of 'Be Our Guest' ....

Have a watch and let me know what you think?

Katie x